First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialists.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me- and there was no one left to speak for me.... Martin Niemoller

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

JUSTIFICATION / EXPLANATION: MARRIAGE EQUALITYWHEREAS, the denial of marriage equality hurts not just individuals, but also family members, neighbors and coworkers, who care about the well-being of same-sex couples and the children in their care; andWHEREAS, domestic partnership and civil union laws bring welcome recognition to such families, there is no substitute for marriage. No legal mechanism for protecting families is as widely accepted or has as clear legal precedent and meaning as does marriage. Denying access to marriage for loving, committed same-sex couples discriminates against them and relegates them to second-class citizenship; therefore, be itRESOLVED, that CSEA hereby expresses it’s commitment to equal rights for all union members, including Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) members; and be it furtherRESOLVED, that CSEA supports loving, committed same-sex couples having equal access to legal marriage, and oppose laws and constitutional amendments that deny that opportunity; and be it finallyRESOLVED, that CSEA calls upon the New York State Legislature and the Governor to enact laws providing equality for all citizens and continues to foster support and diversity at all levels of our organization. That CSEA pledges to work aggressively to achieve this goal.